Women’s councils being set up in remote area: Rula Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): Women’s economic emancipation was emphasised on the sidelines of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Kabul, with First Lady Rula Ghani saying women councils -- also involving men -- will be formed in remote areas.

President Ashraf Ghani also attended the meeting at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday evening. Rula Ghani briefed participants, including representatives of donor nations, on Afghan women’s activities and achievements over the last three years.

The first lady thanked international partners and the government for supporting and cooperating with the initiatives to empower Afghan women, according to a statement from the Presidential Palace.

She said the Afghan women had made progress in different areas, particularly in business and investment sectors, The new generation of Afghanistan was committed to a bright future and making efforts in this regard.

Rula added the Afghan women were ready to shoulder onerous responsibilities, with 3,000 women striving in different fields to improve their future by using combined cooperation and energies.

She noted significant progress had been made by Afghan women in all walks of life. They have been provided with tremendous economic growth opportunities with the creation of Women’s Support Network and women’s business chamber.

She said female councils, also including men, would be formed in remote areas of the country. The government's role in supporting women was extremely important, she remarked, saying females had greater contacts with local and central agencies.

The first lady haild government efforts for enforcing reforms, combating corruption and introducing e-governance.

Representatives of foreign countries talked about the development of Afghan women in recent years. At the end of the meeting, Ghani visited a photo exhibition.